Mgen Test Online

Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted bacterium that was only discovered in 1981 and is now recognised as one of the most important emerging STIs worldwide. It is transmitted through vaginal and anal sex and can cause urethritis in men and cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infertility in women. According to the Australian STI Management Guidelines, Mgen prevalence in Australia is estimated at one to two per cent of the general population, but considerably higher among people attending sexual health clinics. Mgen Test Online through Clinic365 — from anywhere in Australia.

Mgen is often called the silent STI because the majority of infections cause no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they closely resemble chlamydia — discharge, burning when urinating, and pelvic pain. In fact, Mgen is now recognised as the second most common cause of non-gonococcal urethritis in men after chlamydia. Because symptoms are indistinguishable from chlamydia, specific testing is needed to identify the organism and guide appropriate treatment.

Mgen is not included in the standard five-infection STI screen because it requires a specific PCR test. At Clinic365, the $39 online test can include Mgen testing alongside the standard panel. Testing uses the same urine sample collected for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, so no additional specimen is required. Self-collected vaginal, throat, and rectal swabs can also be tested for Mgen if clinically indicated by your sexual history.

Mgen can be detected from approximately two weeks after exposure using PCR testing. Unlike chlamydia, Mgen cannot be cultured in a standard laboratory, which is why PCR is the only reliable diagnostic method. If you have persistent urethritis or cervicitis symptoms that do not respond to standard chlamydia treatment, Mgen should be specifically investigated as a possible cause.

Treatment for Mgen is more complex than for other bacterial STIs because of increasing antibiotic resistance. The Australian guidelines now recommend resistance-guided therapy — a special test that determines which antibiotics the bacteria will respond to before prescribing treatment. Standard first-line treatment is a sequential antibiotic regimen, but if macrolide resistance is detected, alternative antibiotics such as alternative antibiotics may be required. A test of cure is recommended three to four weeks after completing treatment to confirm the infection has cleared.

Regular sexual health screening is recommended for anyone who is sexually active, even when no symptoms are present. Most sexually transmitted infections produce no noticeable symptoms in the early stages, which means they can be unknowingly passed to sexual partners. Australian guidelines recommend at least annual screening for sexually active adults, and more frequent testing for those with new or multiple partners. If you have had unprotected sex with a new partner, testing is recommended even if you feel well.

If your test results are positive, your Specialist GP will contact you directly to discuss treatment options and arrange treatment. Most bacterial STIs respond well to a short course of antibiotics and are straightforward to manage when detected early. Partner notification is an important part of treatment — all recent sexual partners should be informed and tested, even if they have no symptoms. Your GP can advise on how to approach this conversation, including anonymous notification options if preferred.